Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The truth is out there—somewhere.
The Truth Is Out There at the Dreamland Resort (or Should We Say ‘Area 51?’)
Edward Payson Weston
How the 6-Day Race Became an American Spectator Obsession
Alresford Spy Toilet
This Public Bathroom in a Sleepy English Village Was an Epicenter for Cold War Espionage
Manhattan Well
The Manhattan Well: How Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton United to Solve a Murder Mystery

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New York State New York City Staten Island Mount Loretto Beach Rock Garden
Mount Loretto Beach Rock Garden is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Mount Loretto Beach Rock Garden

Eccentric stone cairns built on a public New York City beach.

Staten Island, New York

Added By
mrobscurity
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Staten Island’s stone cairn garden.   http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/...
  http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU%27D%20NEVE...
iron bench-concrete debris on beach- Mount Loretto Unique Area   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
iron bench-concrete debris on beach- Mount Loretto Unique Area   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
iron bench-concrete debris on beach- Mount Loretto Unique Area   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
bluff/erosion Mount Loretto Unique Area   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
only rock towers we found   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
Mount Loretto Unique Area- erosion/bluffs   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
brick wall debris- Mount Loretto Unique Area   Beth Ogando / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 1996, the Staten Island Advance ran a front-page photograph of an odd assortment of stone cairns that had recently appeared on a beach in Mount Loretto State Park. The newspaper asked in its headline if the piles of rocks were a “Sophomoric Prank or Cult Activity?”

In fact, they were neither. Spanning nearly a half mile of beachfront, the stone sculptures were the creation of Doug Schwartz, a zookeeper at the Staten Island Zoo, for whom this unusual outside – and outsider – art has been both a hobby and a passion for more than a decade.

Schwartz can be found working on the beach at least one day a week, making him something of a local celebrity. However, it is for another eccentric Staten Island tradition that he is best known. Schwartz is the keeper of Staten Island Chuck, a groundhog who serves as the fifth borough's answer to Punxsutawney Phil. For most of the year Chuck lives in a a cage in Schwartz's office at the Staten Island Zoo. He emerges every February 2nd on Groundhog Day to try to find his shadow.

There are now close to 200 rock towers overlooking Raritan Bay on the southern shore of Staten Island. Some are precariously poised, others are propped up with sticks, or buttressed with old beer cans. For Schwartz, the stone formations are simply a form of self-expression, and a relaxing way to spend a morning at the beach. He has built several benches out of stones and washed-up lumber so that visitors can take a load off while they contemplate his slate and ochre garden.

Update 6/11/17: There are no rock towers remaining. It is still an interesting beach though, with a lot of erosion creating mini cliffs with tall hanging trees. 

Related Tags

Outsider Art Statues Beaches

Know Before You Go

There is a place to park your car on Sharrott Avenue, just south of Hylan Boulevard.

Community Contributors

Added By

mrobscurity

Edited By

Beth Ogando

  • Beth Ogando

Published

February 2, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.forgotten-ny.com/YOU%27D%20NEVER%20BELIEVE/loretto/loretto.html
  • http://watch.thirteen.org/video/1162700043/
Mount Loretto Beach Rock Garden
Sharrott Ave. and Hyland Blvd.
Staten Island, New York, 10309
United States
40.510813, -74.210128
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Shrine of the Immaculate Virgin

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Kreischer Mansion

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Conference House

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Staten Island

Staten Island

New York

Places 21
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Shrine of the Immaculate Virgin

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Kreischer Mansion

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Conference House

Staten Island, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Staten Island

Staten Island

New York

Places 21
Stories 4

Related Places

  • Waterloo, England

    'Another Place'

    A hundred copies of Antony Gormley's naked body stare out across the water.

  • Gummy bear statue

    Madrid, Spain

    El Oso Verde (The Green Bear)

    This larger-than-life lime green gummy bear sits in the middle of a roundabout in Spain.

  • The 10-foot-tall monument.

    Galveston, Texas

    1900 Storm Memorial

    This memorial and the seawall that it stands near are powerful symbols of the island’s resilience.

  • Our Lady of Hope at Ramla Beach

    Gozo, Malta

    Our Lady of Hope

    One of Malta’s most popular beaches features a seemingly out-of-place statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

  • 'Bar Roma'

    Randers, Denmark

    'Bar Roma'

    This enormous aluminum figure in Denmark lying in a plunged position, echoes the global debate on canceled historical statues.

  • What does the sign say?

    Canadian, Texas

    Gene Cockrell's Yard Art

    Iconic figures in concrete and steel in the High Plains of Texas.

  • Painted Rock Beach

    Seaside, Oregon

    Painted Rock Beach

    Hundreds of painted rocks dazzle this small beach where adding your own is encouraged.

  • Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive

    Dallas, Texas

    Pioneer Plaza Cattle Drive

    A symbol of Texas pride.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.